In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, about OCA’s upcoming Winter Policy meeting set for January 21 and the wide range of policy issues facing cattle producers in the year ahead. Kelsey says the meeting will focus on legislative priorities, natural resource concerns, and legal questions that could have long-term implications for Oklahoma agriculture.
From a policy standpoint, Kelsey says ad valorem taxes are expected to be one of the biggest topics of discussion. “Ad valorem is going to be one of the key issues that we’re going to see in this legislative session,” he said, adding concerns about a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at eliminating property taxes on residential homes. Kelsey warned that the proposal is “very dangerous,” noting that “there’s a lot of ramifications for that,” particularly for agriculture and rural landowners.
Another major focus of the meeting will be water, property rights, and the ongoing poultry lawsuit involving phosphorus runoff in the Illinois River watershed. Kelsey said many members have questions about how far the lawsuit could extend. “Can it go beyond the Illinois River shed?” he asked, explaining that OCA has asked NCBA to review the case to determine whether there could be broader federal implications. While OCA is not a party to the lawsuit, Kelsey emphasized, “We are certainly part of the discussion of the lawsuit, and we want to make sure that we’re doing that in a very educated fashion.”
Kelsey said the role of a court-appointed special master is particularly troubling to cattle producers. “What’s their role here? How do they play into this?” he asked, adding concerns about regulatory authority and access to private property. “If they have unfettered access to property, we’ve got a problem with that.” Kelsey also pointed out the importance of poultry litter as a natural fertilizer for pastures, saying, “Those pastures would not be nearly as good without that litter,” and warning that the case could eventually impact manure use beyond the watershed.
Finally, Kelsey acknowledged that Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s involvement in the lawsuit — and his previous endorsement by OCA — will be part of the conversation. “Rather than try to work off the news… come tell us what you’re doing,” Kelsey said, stressing the importance of hearing directly from all sides. He urged members statewide to attend, saying, “It’s tempting… to go, ‘that’s a chicken issue.’ It’s not. It is an agriculture issue.” Kelsey concluded by encouraging producers across Oklahoma to engage, learn, and help shape policy decisions that could affect the future of the cattle industry.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
